REVIEWED LOCATION

Helgustaðanáma Iceland Spar Mine — Strictly Protected Rockhounding Status & Field Guide

Historically one of the world’s most important sources of optical calcite. Its scientific fame makes the no-collection classification essential: current official guidance says removal is strictly forbidden.

Protected / viewing statusVery high evidenceentrance map precisionCurrent review cycle freshness
Important: Strictly no removal of Iceland spar or other material from the protected mine.

What is here

historic optical-grade calcite (Iceland spar) occurrence

Materials / interest: Iceland Spar, Calcite

Collecting and access

Viewing only. The Environment Agency states that removal of Iceland spar from the protected mine is strictly forbidden.

Navigate only to the visitor/information point; the historic extraction area is sensitive and not a collecting destination.

Detailed status
prohibited
Permission
Not flagged
Permit
Not flagged
Fee
Not flagged
Guide
Not flagged
Booking
Not flagged
Surface collecting
no
Hammering
no
Digging
no

Safety

Old mine/quarry terrain can contain loose rock and steep ground.

Review status

Access reviewed: 2026-09-13 · Sources reviewed: 2026-09-13 · Next scheduled review: 2027-09-13.

Recheck access, closures, permissions and current source instructions before field travel.

More reviewed places in Iceland

Teigarhorn Zeolite Natural Monument — Protected ViewingDimmuborgir Lava Formations — Protected ViewingGeysir Geothermal Area — Protected No-Rock-RemovalKerlingarfjöll Nature Reserve — Protected Rhyolite & Geothermal GeologyReykjanes Recent Lava Fields — Protected Volcanic GeologySurtsey Nature Reserve — Closed / No Public Collecting

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